SFPD Chief Bill Scott Won’t Go to L.A.

SFPD Chief William Scott addresses the crowd during his swearing-in ceremony held at San Francisco’s City Hall Monday, January 23, 2017. (Jessica Christian)

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced Monday that a different candidate will lead the city’s police department, which means San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott is here to stay.

Scott stepped in as San Francisco’s police chief in 2016 but was one of three finalists to lead the Los Angeles Police Department. The news that Scott, who has been implementing police reforms as an outsider, brought another layer of uncertainty as San Francisco is on the cusp of choosing a new mayor.

“In Bill Scott I found that San Francisco has a visionary chief, someone who is the very embodiment of integrity,” Garcetti said at the announcement. “A change agent who is helping… evolve and revolutionize policing in San Francisco.”

Scott said in a statement that the opportunity to the lead the department he spent 27 years in allowed him to reflect on the improvements and remaining challenges in San Francisco.

“I remain committed to the work ahead to maintain public safety, reduce crime and strengthen [community relations,] ” Scott said, according to the Examiner.

As SF Weekly previously reported, the change wouldn’t be completely out of the blue. Scott would be returning home and leaving the tense relationship with the San Francisco Police Officers Association, which reportedly wanted an insider to lead the force.

While Scott was still in the running, Mayor Mark Farrell said the news came as a surprise but that there are “a lot of what-ifs.” On Monday, Farrell praised Scott’s continued tenure.

“His leadership has brought great progress in our efforts to increase staffing levels at the police department, carry out crucial reforms and improve public safety in communities across San Francisco,” Farrell said in a statement.